The health effect of the clean energy transition on middle-aged and elderly farmers: Evidence from clean heating program in China

Abstract

The transition to clean energy is a crucial strategy to combat climate change and a vital approach to improving residents’ quality of life and promoting their physical and mental health. We used data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2020 while utilizing a Clean Heating Program as a quasi-natural experiment to evaluate the impact of the clean energy transition on the physical and mental health of middle-aged and elderly rural residents. The results indicate that the Clean Heating Program had a significant positive impact on the physical and mental health of middle-aged and elderly rural residents. Improvements in environmental quality and reductions in labor intensity were key factors in this process. Further heterogeneity analyses revealed the differential effects of the Clean Heating Program on health improvements across different age groups, gender groups, medical care levels, and terrain conditions. Specifically, the Clean Heating Program positively affected the physical health of elderly rural residents and the mental health of middle-aged rural residents. The health benefits were more pronounced for females and those in areas with limited medical resources and plains.